A District Board Official is also known as a poll worker and will be referred to as a poll worker throughout this training module.

As a Somerset County poll worker, you represent the Somerset County Board of Elections and have an important job.

You have been appointed to serve the people of Somerset County. Your efforts make a fair, smoothly run election possible and help maintain our basic American right to free elections.

The position of poll worker is very significant. Under Title 19 of the New Jersey Statutes, you have an important responsibility in the polling place. You may be called on to exercise your power to keep the polls safe, secure, orderly and the election fair.

Recently, a new state law allows 16 and 17 year old students to work as poll workers. These poll workers have the same rights and responsibilities as all other poll workers.

All poll workers must share responsibilities equally.

All poll workers must wear a nametag provided by the Board of Elections and have their Certificate of Appointment available. This identifies the poll worker as an official representative to the voters.

A poll worker should vote every time they serve at the polls, whether in a primary, general or other election. If the poll worker is assigned to a district that is not their home district, that worker should vote by Mail-in Ballot ballot.

While representing the Somerset County Board of Elections, a poll worker must be impartial and not express any personal opinions or opinions about any candidate or topic on the ballot. A poll worker must remain impartial, non-partisan and cannot take sides on any issue or try to persuade anyone to vote a certain way.

If a poll worker does not act within these guidelines, then he/she is in direct violation with the New Jersey Statute – Title 19 concerning “electioneering” and is subject to dismissal as a poll worker.

A poll worker must be professional and courteous to both the voters as well as the other poll workers, challengers and any polling location staff and present a neat appearance.

A poll worker should read the instruction booklet provided by the Somerset County Board of Elections and refer to it during the course of the day.

The collective group of poll workers serving a district will elect amongst themselves one poll worker to act as Judge and one poll worker from the opposite political party to act as an Inspector.

If the poll workers do not elect a Judge, then the poll worker with the most seniority will act as Judge and the poll worker of the opposite political party with the most seniority will act as Inspector.

The Judge and the Inspector are responsible for sealing and signing important documents. Although, it is important to remember that every poll worker has equal authority. All questions needing a decision must be voted upon.

If you fail to call in, the other poll workers at your assigned district may not leave the table for even a moment.

It is necessary for a majority of the poll workers to be present at all times on Election Day in order to provide the best possible service to the voters.

Every poll worker is entitled to a one-hour meal break. These breaks will be staggered and may occur between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM.

The following is a list of duties expected from each poll worker on Election Day:

Obtain the necessary supplies and set up the voting machines

Open the polls

Determine who may vote

Assure smooth operation

Close the polls

Tabulate the election results from the machines and emergency ballots

Complete official documents and return supplies and results.

The following people can be at the polls:

Authorized challengers with credentials from the Board of Elections

Candidates who may act as challengers at large without credentials if their names are on the ballot

Municipal Clerks or their designees

Assigned police officers

Media with special credentials

And of course voters and their minor children

No electioneering will be tolerated. No one may conduct a campaign of any kind within 100 feet of the outside entrance to the polling place.

If a voter has a problem that cannot be resolved at the polls or by the Board of Elections, it will be necessary for the voter to appear before a Superior Court Judge.

If the Judge solves the voter’s problem, a Court Order will be issued.

When the voter returns to his district with this Court Order, an “Authority to Vote” slip will be issued. The poll worker will record the “Authority to Vote” number on the Court Order and the voter will be allowed to vote.

If the voter’s problem is resolved by the Court too close to the closing of the polls, the Judge may direct that voter get a Mail-in Ballot.

The polls close at 8:00 PM. Any voter who is in line prior to 8:00 PM must be permitted to vote.

Official Challengers, candidates on the ballot, poll workers, the press, and the general public can be present during the process of closing the polls providing that they do not interfere with counting and recording procedures.

If requested, copies of the paper results may be supplied to challengers or candidates.

Poll workers assigned by the Municipal Clerk must go to the Municipal Clerk in their municipality, to return the results tape and cartridge, and all election materials, such as all Voting Authorities, the American flag and poll books.

Somerset County Mission Statement:

The County of Somerset is committed to excellence and innovation in public service, promoting the well-being of all residents and communities by providing effective, efficient, and responsive leadership.